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With years of experience in dessert recipes, I’ve mastered the art of rich, velvety hot fudge sauce. My expertise in balancing chocolate, butter, sugar, and cream ensures a smooth, indulgent result. Trusted by home bakers, my recipes deliver professional-quality every time, establishing me as an authority in classic homemade hot fudge.

hot fudge sauce in a glass jar with a spoon showing the thick warm sauce dripping down into the jar
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This easy hot fudge sauce recipe has become a dessert staple in my house. There is something about the smell of warm hot fudge sauce freshly made, ready to top on a bowl of vanilla ice cream, or paired with my homemade strawberry sauce for fun ice cream sundaes for the family.

This homemade chocolate fudge sauce has a rich chocolate flavor, smooth texture, and the perfect balance of sweetness to top your favorite dessert.

If you are intimidated by the thought of making your own homemade hot fudge for the first time, don’t be! The best part is how easy this hot fudge sauce recipe is! It also doesn’t have any of the icky preservatives that store bought hot fudge sauce has!

You can use this sauce to top your favorite vanilla ice cream, for the best hot fudge sundae, brownies, or any other dessert you can think of. Try using this in my Oreo ice cream cake recipe! It’s also delicious when used as a dip for fresh fruit.

homemade hot fudge sauce recipe in a glass jar with a spoon over the jar dripping some sauce down into the jar

You will love this Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce

  • Versatile and can be used in a variety of recipes.
  • Made with just 4 simple ingredients.
  • Takes just 5 minutes to make!
  • Perfect balance of sweetness and richness.
hot fudge being poured over ice cream in a glass cup

Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe Ingredients

Making a deliciously smooth, thick chocolate sauce only requires 4 ingredients. This homemade hot fudge sauce recipe will be a hit with your family! Get the full ingredient details for this easy recipe on the recipe card at the end of the post. 

  • Heavy cream
  • Granulated sugar
  • Semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • Butter: Salted or unsalted butter
a close up of hot fudge sauce spread on a surface

How to make Hot Fudge Sauce with Chocolate Chips

Making this easy hot fudge recipe only takes 5 minutes with minimal mess, which we can all cheer for! Keep scrolling for the full measurements and ingredients for homemade fudge sauce in the recipe card below.

1.Prep chocolate chips. Add Place the chocolate chips in a small mixing bowl or dish. Set aside.

2.Boil. In a medium saucepan, combine the heavy cream and granulated sugar. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a boil.

3.Combine with chocolate chips. Pour the mixture over the chocolate chips and add in the butter. Allow the mixture to sit for 1-2 minutes, then stir to combine.

4.Cool and store. As the sauce cools, it will thicken. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. To reheat, place your desired amount of hot fudge in a small microwave safe container and microwave for 15 – 20 seconds, or longer as needed. 

Chocolate Fudge Sauce Recipe Tips

  • Cool before serving: Allow the hot fudge sauce to cool before serving. This will help it thicken and give it this fudgy sauce a smooth texture.
  • Use good quality chocolate: Good quality chocolate is essential for making a rich and delicious hot fudge sauce. Look for premium chocolate chips.
  • Taste and adjust: Taste your hot fudge sauce once it’s finished cooking and adjust the sweetness, consistency, and flavor to your liking as needed.
a jar of hot fudge sauce with a spoon above it full of sauce that is dripping down and sauce dripping down the side of the jar

How to store 4-Ingredient Hot Fudge Sauce

One of the best things about this hot fudge chocolate syrup is that you can store leftovers for later. Make a big mason jar or glass jar ahead of time and store it in your fridge for up to one month! Make sure it’s in an airtight container so it lasts as long as possible. You read that right, homemade hot fudge sauce on hand any time you have a craving! 

You also have the option of freezing this hot fudge sauce! Just make sure it’s in a freezer safe container, and when you’re ready to use it, let it thaw completely and then warm it in the microwave at 15 second intervals, stirring between each time. For best results, store in 1-2 serving size containers and freeze them individually so you can thaw them as needed. 

a jar of hot fudge sauce with a drizzle of sauce that is dripping down and sauce dripping down the side of the jar

Homemade Hot Fudge FAQs

Why is my homemade hot fudge sauce grainy?

The cause of grainy hot fudge sauce is most likely due to overheating the sauce or not heating the mixture to the right temperature. When cooked too low, it can cause the sugar not to dissolve completely and then cool and form granules in the sauce. To avoid having a grainy sauce, make sure to heat the mixture until it reaches a soft boil. Another possible cause of grainy hot fudge sauce is due to not stirring the mixture enough as it cooks. If you don’t stir the mixture enough, the sugar will settle to the bottom and not mix with the other ingredients properly. Make sure to stir the mixture consistently while it’s cooking to make sure the sugar is well-incorporated.

Why is my hot fudge sauce not thickening?

There could be several reasons why your hot fudge sauce is not thickening. First, make sure you gave it time to cool. It should thicken as it cools. If that doesn’t work, it could be because you didn’t bring the heavy cream and sugar to a boil.

More Fudge Recipes

hot fudge sauce recipe
5 from 1 rating

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4-Ingredient Hot Fudge Sauce

By: Beth
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 cup
With years of experience in dessert recipes, I've mastered the art of rich, velvety hot fudge sauce. My expertise in balancing chocolate, butter, sugar, and cream ensures a smooth, indulgent result. Trusted by home bakers, my recipes deliver professional-quality every time, establishing me as an authority in classic homemade hot fudge.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 tbsp butter, salted or unsalted

Instructions 

  • Place the chocolate chips in a small mixing bowl or dish. Set aside.
  • In a small saucepan, combine the heavy cream and granulated sugar. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a boil.
  • Pour the mixture over the chocolate chips and add in the butter. Allow the mixture to sit for 1-2 minutes, then stir to combine.
  • As the sauce cools, it will thicken. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. To reheat, place your desired amount of hot fudge in a small microwave safe container and microwave for 15-20 seconds, or longer as needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 1479kcal | Carbohydrates: 124g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 106g | Saturated Fat: 64g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 29g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 173mg | Sodium: 136mg | Potassium: 883mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 103g | Vitamin A: 2167IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 166mg | Iron: 9mg

Nutrition Disclosure

All nutritional values are approximate and provided to the reader as a courtesy. Changing ingredients and/or quantities will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.

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About Beth

I believe that everyone should have a go-to dessert to bring to parties! With hundreds of recipes, I'll help you find yours!

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5 from 1 vote

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Recipe Rating




3 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This Sounds ABSOLUTELY 💯 DELICIOUS 😋 CAN’T WAIT TO TRY AND MAKE IT ❤️ THANK YOU FOR THE RECIPE 😁